MOSQUE REVOLT EXPLODES: Outraged Worshippers Blast Prominent Imam Over Politicizing Pulpit for APC!
Abdulhameed Sherif · Politics · Oct 31, 2026
Controversy has engulfed Taraba State following a tense standoff at a Jalingo mosque where prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Jalo Jalingo faced intense backlash for using the Jum'at sermon to campaign for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The intersection of religion and politics has once again sparked fiery reactions in Northern Nigeria, following a dramatic confrontation at a mosque in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
During the Friday congregational prayers, Sheikh Jalo Jalingo reportedly told worshippers that the federal government under President Tinubu was not oppressive, urging the congregation to exercise patience and throw their support behind the APC.
However, the political sermon immediately backfired. The atmosphere turned chaotic as the service progressed:
The Outspoken Rebuttal: Mid-sermon, a frustrated worshipper bluntly shouted back at the cleric, declaring, "That's a lie!"
Mass Walkout: The bold dissent galvanized hundreds of angry worshippers who staged a dramatic walkout, abandoning the sermon in protest against what they termed the desecration of the pulpit for partisan politics.
Intense Online Backlash: Following the incident, social media platforms exploded with criticism. Netizens and residents—including critics like Rufai Abubakar Fta and Malam Adamu Chilariye—slammed the cleric, arguing that meddling in partisan politics severely undermines public trust and respect for religious leadership.
Despite facing heavy scrutiny over the fiery mosque confrontation, subsequent statements from the cleric urging continued political alignment have only fanned the flames.
As political tensions tighten nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections, the incident serves as a stark warning over the growing friction between citizens facing economic hardships and religious figures attempting to steer political choices.